Continuous mining machine having a plurality of vertically spaced cutters



A. J. GALIS 2,753,168

MACHINE HAVING A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY SPACED CUTTERS July 3, 1956 CONTINUOUS MINING 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 1, 1955 AlazmmferJfiWll Is' ATTORNEYS July 3, 1956 A J. GALIS 2,753,168

CONTINUOUS MINING MACHINE HAVING A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY SPACED CUTTERS Filed March 1, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VENTOR ATTORNEY July 3, 1956 A. J. GALIS 2,753,158

CONTINUOUS MINING MACHINE HAVING A FLURALITY OF VERTICALLY SPACED CUTTERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 1, 1955 INVENTOR 4mm J. Q4 1019 CONTHNUUUS MINING MACHINE HAVING A PLURALITY UF VERTICALLY 'SPACED CUT- TERS This invention relates to mining machinery, and pa ticularly to mobile machinery arranged to cut into a vein at a plurality of places and break down the cut material as the machine moves forward.

Machinery for mining coal has become a necessity in the industry. Many machines have been proposed for cutting and breaking down the coal, and a number have been used with some success. It is essential that these machines have complete flexibility in order to meet whatever conditions may arise. It is also important that the machines be capable of moving the broken down coal to the rear of the machine, out of the way of subsequent cutting.

The object of the present invention is to provide a mining machine which is mobile, and has a plurality of cutters arranged vertically as acutter head which may be adjusted as a whole, or the individual cutters may be adjusted individually.

Another object is to provide such a machine wherein the cutters are so arranged that each undercuts in advance of the one above to facilitate breaking down the coal.

A further object is the provision of mining machinery having means for conveying cut coal to the rear of the machine, with portions of the cutter head being arranged to permit coal broken down at the upper levels to fall through to the conveyor.

Still another object is to provide wedges for entrance into the kerf cut by the cutter head, to break down the coal, and means for moving the individual cutters to impose a greater breaking force on the wedges if needed.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of one practical embodiment thereof, when taken in conjunction with the drawings which accompany, and form part of, this specification.

in the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a mining machine embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the machine;

Figure 3 is a staggered vertical section, taken on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical section through one of the cutters and a vertical cutter carried thereby, and is taken on the line itr of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through the machine, taken on the line 55 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of one of the cutter tables and its mounting parts being broken away to more clearly illustrate the structure; and

Figure '7 is a horizontal section through the slide mounting for the cutter table and is taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 6;

In general, the machine comprises a self-powered mo bile unit upon which is mounted a frame carrying a plurality of vertically spaced cutters, with the cutters arranged to cut horizontal kerfs in the face of a coal vein and being relatively adjustable vertically. The entire States Patent t, 1 Ce cutting head is tiltable relative to the transporting unit, and each cutter is angularly adjustable. A conveyor, carried by the frame, transports cut coal from the front of the machine to the rear.

Referring to the drawings in detail, there is shown a mining machine which consists of a mobile transporting uiit 3, upon which is mounted a frame 2. At the forward end of the frame a cutter head 3 is positioned, made up of a plurality of cutter tables 4 arranged one above another. A conveyor 5 extends the full length of the machine from a point beneath the bottom cutter table to the rear where it passes onto an adjustable conveyor boom 6.

The transporting unit 1 consists of a chassis '7, of any suitable frame structure, which carries axles 8 for endless tread sprockets 9. Endless treads 10 are trained over the sprockets. A motor lit is supported by the chassis, and provides the power for moving the endless tread.

The frame 2 comprises a pair of side plates 12., spaced apart transversely of the machine and braced in any suitable manner. The frame is pivotally mounted on the chassis on trunnions 13. The frame is tiltable in a vertical plane on the trunnions by means of hydraulic cylinders 14. The various components of the cylinder assemblies are connected to the chassis and frame respectively, in well known manner. As all operating parts of the machine are carried by the frame, tilting of the frame will cause corresponding movement of these parts.

T he cutter head is shown as consisting of four cutter tables superimposed in vertically spaced relation. The tables are substantially identical in shape, size, and construction. They are staggered with respect to one another, with each succeeding table being positioned rearwardly of the one beneath it.

The bottom table is rigidly fixed to the frame. The frame is closed at the bottom to form a conveyor trough in, and this trough, including a continuation of the side plates, is extended forward to underlie and support the table 15. The table lies in a horizontal plane, and is substantially the shape of an isosceles trapezoid with its long base as the leading edge. The table has a guide channel 17 around its perimeter to receive a cutter chain 1 8. The chain passes around sprockets 19 located within the table at the four corners. The chain is driven by a pair of motors through the shafts 21 and gear boxes 22 positioned above the rear sprockets. Above the table, vertical cutters 23 having spirally arranged bits 2d are positioned on shafts 25 which also carry the front sprockets 29. Thus the motors drive both the cutter chain for making a horizontal kerf in the cutter and the cutters 23 for making vertical cuts extending upwardly from the horizontal cut.

The center of the table is open, as at 26, to receive the forward portion of the conveyor pan and to accommodate the conveyor belt, as will be described. Vertical, rearwardly converging baffles 27 are mounted on top of the table to form a converging throat to lead coal to the conveyor. The conveyor consists of chains 23 having lateral blades, or sweeps, 29 spaced along their lengths. The chains are driven by motors 3s located at the sides of the conveyor boom 6. The motors, through suitable reduction gearing, drive shaft 31 which carries sprocket 32, around which the chains pass. At the forward end of the machine, a sprocket 33 is mounted, about which the conveyor turns for its return travel. The upper flight of the conveyor slides along the bottom of the conveyor pan 34 at the bottom of the frame, with the sweeps carrying the coal before them. The return flight of the chain is supported upon idler sprockets 3S, suitably mounted on the frame and conveyor boom. It will be noted that the bottom of the conveyor pan curves upwardly to join the forward edge of the opening 26 in the table 15, thus closing the opening. Coal will fall into this pan and be picked up by the conveyor as it moves around the sprocket 33 and transported to the rear of the machine.

Above the table 15, and its leading edge set back from the vertical plane of the leading edge of the table 15, is a second cutter table 36. This table is similar to the one just described, having the same size and shape. It has bottom struts 37, which project to the rear and are pivotally connected to the frame, as at 33. This permits the table to be tilted in a vertical plane. Hydraulic cylinders 39 control the tilting movement. The hydraulic cylinder assemblies are connected to the rear ends of the struts 37 and to brackets 40 secured to the frame side plates. The struts form supports for the motors 41, which through chains 42 and gear boxes 43 drive the cutter chains 44 along the guide channel 45 around the edges of the table. The forward idler sprockets 46 are mounted on shafts 47 which extend above and below the table and support the upper and lower vertical side cutters 48 and 49, which are identical to the side cutters 23 previously described. Table 36 has an open center 50 which forms a chute to permit coal which is broken down above the table to fall through onto the conveyor. Bafiles 51 are positioned above the table to guide the coal to the open chute S0.

Beneath the leading edge of the table 36 there are a plurality of wedges 52. The wedges have their points forwardly to enter the horizontal kerf made by the cutter 44. They are somewhat behind the cutter chain so that when they enter the kerf they will break down the coal which has been undercut. The distance of the wedges behind the cutters will determine the lump size of the coal broken down.

A third table 53 is mounted above the table 36. This table is the same in all essential details as the table 36. It has the cutter chain 54 in the guide channel 55, driven by the motors 56 mounted on the struts 57. Vertical cutters, both upper 58 and lower 59, are provided. Baflles 60 are mounted above the table, and the center of the table is open to form the chute 61.

Table 53 is mounted for vertical and tilting movement. The upper portions of the side plates of the frame are set back, as at 62, and vertical guide tracks 63 are mounted on these portions of the side plates. Slides 64 are slideably mounted in the guide tracks 63. Hydraulic cylinders 65 control vertical movement on the slides. The rear ends of the struts 57 are pivotally connected to the slides at 66, so that the table may be tilted relative to the slides. Hydraulic cylinder assemblies 67 are connected to the struts and slides to tilt the table. Wedges 6% are mounted under the leading edge of this table in the same manner as those previously described.

Top table 69 is also mounted for vertical height adjustrnent and tilting in a vertical plane. Table 69 has cutter chain 70, movable in channel '71 by means of motors 72 which are mounted on the struts 73. This table does not have guide baflles, nor is the center open. These features are dispensed with due to the fact that no coal is broken down above the top table. Guide tracks 74 are mounted on the frame side plates, to receive slides 75 to which the struts 73 are pivotally connected, as at 76. Hydraulic cylinders 77 control the movement of the slides in the guide tracks, and hydraulic cylinders 78 the tilting movement of the table. Vertical cutters 79 are provided to make the necessary downwardly extending cuts at the sides. Wedges 80 are mounted beneath the table.

It is to be noted, that each of the tables has its leading edge set back with respect to the table beneath it. This enables the cutting to be done progressively as the ma chine moves forward, with each table undercutting the coal beyond the cut of the table above.

At the rear of the machine is the conveyor boom 6, which consists of spaced side plates 31 and a transverse 4 horizontal partition 82 to form a support for the top flight of the conveyor. The side plates are pivotally connected to the side plates of the frame, as at 83, so that the boom can be tilted vertically. Hydraulic cylinders 84 control the tilting movement.

The various hydraulic mechanisms may be connected in any conventional manner to a fluid reservoir and to control levers 85 mounted conveniently to an operators position. As coupling systems are well known, no attempt has been made to illustrate that phase of the machine.

It will be seen that the machine is completely flexible. It can be run up to the face of the coal to be cut and do the cutting and breaking down as a continuous mining operation. The two top tables can be adjusted to change the distance between them, or between them and the other cutters. This is done by operating the proper control levers 85 to cause the slides 64 and 75 to move in their respective guide tracks. Each table may be tilted as necessary to overcut or undercut an obstacle.

Due to the fact that the cutter tables are staggered, that is each has its leading edge rearwardly displaced from the one beneath, the bottom table will cut into the coal first and, after it has cut an appreciable distance, the next cutter will commence its cut. Thus, each out except the bottom will be undercut from the outset. After the table above has begun its cut, the wedges on that table will enter the cut and exert pressure on the top of the undercut section. As the coal has been cut at the sides, this pressure will cause the cut section to break down. If it fails to break, the table can be tilted down, increasing the pressure. The position of the wedges with respect to the leading edges of the tables will determine the lump size of the coal. The closer the wedges are placed to the leading edges of the tables, the smaller lump size will result. Where angle cutting is necessary, the entire cutter head can be tilted about its connection to the transporting unit.

The baifies above the tables will gather in the coal and guide it to the open centers of the tables so that it may fall through to the conveyor at the bottom and be transported to the rear of the machine. The boom may be raised or lowered, depending upon whether the coal is to be deposited into cars or upon the ground.

While in the above one practical embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will be understood that this is merely by way of example and the invention may take other forms within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for continuous mining comprising, a self-propelled transporting unit, a frame pivotally mounted upon said unit for tilting movement in a vertical plane, a cutter head having a plurality of vertically spaced horizontally disposed cutter tables carried by said frame with the cutter tables being staggered longitudinally of the machine to position the forward edge of each table rearwardly of the forward edge of the table below, cutter chains extending around said tables in a horizontal plane, vertical cutters near the forward end of said cutter tables at each of the side edges of each of said cutter tables, said vertical cutters being within the operative span of said cutter chains and means to drive said cutters and cutter chains.

2. In a machine for continuous mining as claimed in claim 1, wedges having rearwardly declining bottom surfaces mounted beneath at least some of said tables near the forward edges thereof.

3. In a machine for continuous mining as claimed in claim 1, at least some of said cutter tables being tiltable in a vertical plane relative to the frame.

4. in a machine for continuous mining as claimed in claim l, wedges having rearwardly declining bottom surfaces mounted beneath at least some of said tables near the forward edges thereof, and at least those tables under which Wedges are mounted being tiltable in a vertical plane relative to the frame.

5. A machine for continuous mining comprising, a selfpropelled transporting unit, a frame mounted on said unit, a cutter table carried at the forward end of said frame having a horizontally disposed cutter chain extending there around, vertically positioned side cutters mounted near the forward end of said cutter table at the sides of said cutter table and within the operative span of said cutter chain and projecting upwardly therefrom, a second cutter table above the first and pivotally mounted on said frame for tilting movement in a vertical plane, the leading edge of said second table being positioned rearwardly of the one below, a cutter chain horizontally about said secend table, wedges having rearwardly declining bottom surfaces mounted beneath said second table near the leading edge thereof, means to operate said cutter chains and cutters, and means to tilt said second table.

6. A machine for continuous mining comprising, a selfpropelled transporting unit, a frame mounted on said unit, a cutter head carried at the forward end of said frame, said cutter head having a plurality of horizontally positioned cutter tables vertically spaced apart, a cutter chain extending horizontally around each of said cutter tables, vertical cutters at the front side edges of said tables, each cutter chain having its cutting flight spaced rearwardly of the chain below, a conveyor extending from the front of said machine to the rear thereof, and said cutter tables above said conveyor and below the top table having open centers forming chutes to permit cut material to fall through to said conveyor.

7. In a machine for a continuous mining as claimed in claim 6, guide baffles above each table converging from said side cutters to said open centers of said tables to direct cut material to said open centers.

8. In a machine for continuous mining as claimed in claim 7, a conveyor boom pivotally connected to the rear of said frame, said conveyor extending the length of said conveyor boom, and means for tilting said conveyor boom vertically about its pivotal connection with said frame.

9. A machine for continuous mining comprising, a selfpropelled transporting unit, a frame pivotally connected to said unit, means to tilt said frame in a vertical plane, a cutter head mounted at the front of said frame including a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically spaced cutter tables, the bottom table of said plurality being rigidly connected to said frame, the table above said bottom table being pivotally connected to said frame, means to tilt said table above the bottom table in a vertical plane, the remaining tables being mounted on said frame for vertical adjustment and for tilting, means to move said remaining tables vertically, means to tilt said remaining tables in a vertical plane, each of said tables above the bottom table having its leading edge displaced rearwardly from the leading edge of the table below, cutter chains extending horizontally around said cutter tables, vertical side cutters at the side: forward edges of each cutter table, means to drive said cutter chains and side cutters, a conveyor extending from the front to the rear of said machine having a top flight above the bottom cutter table, the cutter tables between the top and bottom tables having open centers to permit cut material to fall through onto said conveyor and vertical baffies extending from behind the side cutters and converging rearwardly on top of all tables below the top table to guide cut material to said open centers and said conveyor.

10. A machine for continuous mining comprising, a self-propelled transporting unit, a frame pivotally connected to said unit, means to tilt said frame in a vertical plane, a cutter head mounted at the front of said frame including a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically spaced cutter tables, the bottom table: of said plurality being rigidly connected to said frame, the table above said bottom table being pivotally connected to said frame, means to tilt said table above the bottom table in a vertical plane, the remaining tables being mounted on said frame for vertical adjustment and for tilting, means to move said remaining tables vertically, means to tilt said remaining tables in a vertical plane, each of said tables above the bottom table having its leading edge displaced rearwardly from the leading edge of the table be low, cutter chains extending horizontally around said cutter tables, vertical side cutters at the side forward edges of each cutter table, means to drive said cutter chains and side cutters, a conveyor extending from the front to the rear of said machine having a top flight above the bottom cutter table, the cutter tables between the top and bottom tables having open centers to permit cut maerial to fall through onto said conveyor, vertical balfies extending from behind the side cutters and converging rearwardly on top of all tables below the top table to guide cut material to said open centers and said conveyor, and Wedges having rearwardly declining bottom surfaces mounted below each of said tables above the bottom table near the leading edges thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,585,041 MacEachen May 18, 1926 1,726,963 McKinlay Sept. 3, 1929 2,261,162 Joy Nov. 4, 1941 

